I'm a 40's kind of guy. Love Abbott and Costello, started out in 1940 and being a portly stout myself, Lou is alway and inspiration for me. even though as they went on the costumers tried to make him look shabby. He looks best in One Night in the Tropics.

Marc Chevalier

10-23-2006, 10:56 AM

1937-'38. To me, the finest two years for American men's suits.

.

Paisley

10-23-2006, 10:57 AM

I consider my style to be timeless or classic, but of the eras you mentioned, I prefer the 30s. The clothes of that era are tailored and have a little flair.

The 20s clothes are a bit too straight for my liking. The 40s are a bit too girly-girl. I like the 50s, but I don't have the hourglass figure and won't wear a girdle.

LizzieMaine

10-23-2006, 11:31 AM

I've always been kind of a late-'30s/early-'40s kind of gal -- it's an era that's still very functional for everyday wear even today, and yet there's an understated elegance to the styles of the period that make one look good even in a housedress and apron.

I actually find a lot of inspiration in *home* movies of the period -- the sort of thing ordinary people wore in ordinary circumstances...

Lauren

10-23-2006, 11:33 AM

30's for sure. All of it. I also like 1940-early 43 especially in suits and tailored dresses and the mid to late 50's for casualwear and poofy evening gowns.

moustache

10-23-2006, 11:39 AM

I prefer the 1930's and early 40's look.The rural British tweed look is a favourite as well as the typical American city gentleman.

JD

Lord Jagged

10-23-2006, 12:05 PM

For me the look is the 1930's with movies like The Thin Man. Every villain in the movie looks the part - and every gent has an immaculate suit.

CharlieH.

10-23-2006, 12:06 PM

For me it's mostly late 30's and early 40's for me. I also like earlier styles but I have yet to muster the courage to go out in 20's schoolboy attire. Most of the reference I have is vintage casual snapshots and home movies, especially those taken in public areas.

mysterygal

10-23-2006, 12:15 PM

My favorite style era's were the 40's and 50's. Ever since I was a young girl I absolutely loved Audrey Hepburn. She always looked so perfect!. Both 40's and 50's seem to be the most flattering on me, I also love the looks because compared to today's women fashion, they're so femine and lady like.

Tomasso

10-23-2006, 12:49 PM

30's
-----------

Dinerman

10-23-2006, 12:56 PM

My closet has some of everything. I just mix and match. Most of my stuff is '30's and '40's, so it comes out looking good.

Lady Day

10-23-2006, 04:10 PM

Mid 40's to late 50's. Im a sucker for circle skirts :rolleyes:

LD

maisie

10-23-2006, 04:23 PM

The 40's! Mainly the WWII period, love the utility/ tailored look as well as how classy the styles were! I keep going into the 30's and 50's slightly with a few pieces i get, but then i always go back to the 40's gotta love the shoulder pads (not the 80's ones:eek: ) and the nipped-in waists!

Senator Jack

10-23-2006, 04:26 PM

I find sticking to one era/look sort of dull - I guess in a situationist sort of way, I'm recreating myself on a daily basis. If I had to pick an absolute favorite: 1950 - 1963 - Cocktail/Lounge/Rat Pack/Swank. It's how I got started in vintage all those years ago and I still have an affinity for it.

Regards,

Senator Jack

deanglen

10-23-2006, 04:28 PM

1920s THE Golden period for men's hats.

dean

The Duke

10-23-2006, 04:35 PM

40's and the 50's for me.

Benny Holiday

10-23-2006, 04:43 PM

General 'swing' era attire, the years of wide lapels, pinstripes and plenty of fabric in trousers.

Matt Deckard

10-23-2006, 04:55 PM

2006

There is no better time to dress with style. I can mix and match and take from all the decades in 2006. No restrictions. We have seen the Jet set look and the Hollywood bon vivant. The 20's travelor in his roadster and the Elvis "V" silhouette in suits of the early 50's.

I pick now and dress for now.

Rosie

10-23-2006, 05:15 PM

I'm a mid '40s to late 50's kind of girl though, I will mix elements from all over the place if I think it looks good. My usualy look is a lady of the '50s and as everyone probably knows by now, I Love Lucy(ille) Ball as an inspiration.

Barbigirl

10-23-2006, 07:44 PM

Love the late 30s early 40s

The Wolf

10-23-2006, 11:13 PM

I love the 1930s to 1940s in general.
I prefer attached collars on shirts so '20s and before are out. I like good width in lapels and hat brims. That is all for daily wear.
However I do like Edwardian style and I thought the men from U.N.C.L.E. looked great in the 1960s.

Sincerely,
The WOLF

Smithy

10-24-2006, 01:27 AM

Mid 1920s to 1940s for me.

RetroModelSari

10-24-2006, 01:52 AM

It¬¥s the late 30s to the late 50s for me. The clothes were so glamourous and gloryfying the female curves. I particulary like some stuff from the 60s, too, but it¬¥s not too much.

Gray Ghost

10-24-2006, 03:08 AM

Late 30s to early 40s.

Gray Ghost

Spitfire

10-24-2006, 03:20 AM

When I reach into my closet 7 out of 10 I get my A2 jacket out.
I've got the IRVIN for cold weather and open car.

Even got a paratroopers jacket from the Band of Brothers production.

And I have a RAF battledress jacket in order.....must be the 40s!;)

Shaul-Ike Cohen

10-24-2006, 03:29 AM

Matt isn't wrong with "2006", of course, but on a more plain level, I'd say

1937-39

less narrowly, 1934-41

I do like certain other sartorial periods as well, but wouldn't overmix them. And though I'm an urban suit wearer, I share certain gentlemen's liking of rural tweed, unless it's too much focussed on killing animals.

Naama

10-24-2006, 03:48 AM

I'm a late 20's early 30's girl! But at the moment, somehow, I most often look more early 30's I guess....

Naama

lindylady

10-24-2006, 08:52 AM

I love the beautiful detailing on women's evening clothes. Sailor pants from the 40s, expertly cut suits- lovely! I also adore the full-skirted look of the fifties.

Absinthe_1900

10-24-2006, 10:19 AM

Late 1930's thru Late 1940's.

Lena_Horne

10-24-2006, 10:32 AM

Though the sixties wasn't on your list, I dig anywhere from 1920-1968. My slang tends to pull from anywhere in those decades, though for style of dress I'm a fifties kind of gal. I find the women's clothing in the sixties to be too gregarious and the forties too...something. I can't put my finger on it. But the fifties aren't too extreme nor too rationed, just right.

L_H

Baron Kurtz

10-24-2006, 02:23 PM

Middle 30s. pre-drape! And then the early-middle 60s, the slim mod cut, pre psychedelia stuff (post-drape!). Also the casual gear of the early 60s had a very 30s vibe to it; i guess the brief resurgence of folk music and obsession with Woody Guthrie-type depression era songs drove this?

bk

czack

10-24-2006, 02:38 PM

What are you shooting for in your favorite era?
20's
30's
40's
50's

What is the appeal?
Do you have a film example you like to go by?

Is the mid-70s lounge lizard look out of the scope of this forum?

Marc Chevalier

10-24-2006, 02:42 PM

Is the mid-70s lounge lizard look out of the scope of this forum?

Not at all -- we worship the mid-'70s lounge lizard look. All of us. All of the time. Forever. By golly, you didn't know this? Must be a newbie.
.

Daisy Buchanan

10-24-2006, 02:45 PM

I have only been wearing vintage for a year. In that year I've tried everything from the late 1800's through the 1940's. It was more of experimentation that led me to finally realize that my favorite era for ladies clothes is the 1930's, with the 40's trailing not far behind. The 30's had a wonderful mix of class, glamour and seduction that can be portrayed in many different ways. I think it's the era that makes most men say "wow". The styles for women are very flattering, for all different figures. I think that women just looked incredibly classy, and everything had a hint of sex appeal. Women just really looked like well put together women.

czack

10-24-2006, 02:47 PM

Not at all -- we worship the mid-'70s lounge lizard look. All of us. All of the time. Forever. By golly, you didn't know this? Must be a newbie.
.

I'm sensing sarcasm here.

Marc Chevalier

10-24-2006, 02:51 PM

[In a shocked, hurt voice] Me? Never! ;)

.

Nashoba

10-24-2006, 03:04 PM

30's - mid 50's but I tend to lean toward the fashion of the war years the most.

resortes805

10-24-2006, 04:41 PM

General 'swing' era attire, the years of wide lapels, pinstripes and plenty of fabric in trousers.

Yes! This is it!

Sefton

10-24-2006, 04:41 PM

I first began to wear vintage about 11 years ago and at that time I went for the 50s. Since then I've worn 30s and 40s too, yet I always seem to go back to the 50s. I feel comfortable with that look and it works best with my favorite eyeglasses.
:cool2: http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/8481/50sblackeyeglassessmallpiclb1.jpg

Cousin Hepcat

10-24-2006, 04:50 PM

37-43

DameWhoDrinks

06-19-2012, 07:32 PM

Out of those decadesi tend to.do more of a 47-55 thing, but my decade of choice is 60s from smooth bouffants.to kaftans and.turbans to.dark eyes and pale lips, and even a tech of the hippie culture.

Now this is on me
When it comes.to decades I like to see others in, most definately 40s or 20s

The Victorians were the Lords of Style, and I love everything about the Victorian aesthetic. I might just bring back the frock coat ;)

Miss Stella

06-19-2012, 08:52 PM

I have always liked the 40's-early 50's since I was young. The styles for home and people always seemed classy to me. My grandparents raised me and they were always telling stories of those years. That's the era of dress and home Ive always liked.
Recently, though, I have begun reading up on the "Industrial Age". The changes that were taking place in the US, the new styles in fashion...just coming out of the 1800's, seems changes were occurring so fast!
Movies? Hmmm....I do like the Sherlock Holmes series either Robert Downey Jr but prefer the ones with Basil Rathbone ;)
(Those are more Victorian era, aren't they?!)
(maybe its time for a little reinvention?)

Yeps

06-19-2012, 08:53 PM

Big fan of the 20s and well into the 30s. I especially like the style of wide trousers and fitted jackets.

The Victorians were the Lords of Style, and I love everything about the Victorian aesthetic. I might just bring back the frock coat ;)

You, sir, could bring it back, of this I'm sure!
What are your recommended reads for this era?

Miss Golightly

06-20-2012, 03:12 AM

For me it's the late 50's to mid 60's - I love the clothes from the 50's generally but the clean lines of 60's clothing suit my shape better (shift/sheath dresses in particular). Any Audrey Hepburn movie from the late 50's/mid 60's would be my style inspiration (her wardrobe from Charade is heavenly!!!!!!).

The Victorians were the Lords of Style, and I love everything about the Victorian aesthetic. I might just bring back the frock coat ;)

Absolutely!

My own preference is for 1890 to 1940 but with a very strong preference to rural 1890 to 1920 - think The Shooting Party or Upstairs Downstairs (the original, not the ghastly lesbian-be-decked new series!). Things went a bit too jazzy later in the period (although everyday folks' dress remained pretty much the same throughout).

Give me a brown tweed three-piece, a pocket watch on an albert, a springer spaniel, and a shotgun (and a slightly anachronistic fedora :D) and I'll be happy wanding the mist-strewn wooded valleys seeking a brace for the pot. :D

Flicka

06-20-2012, 04:18 AM

Big fan of the 20s and well into the 30s.

This. Very stylish decade!

scottyrocks

06-20-2012, 06:18 AM

My favorite era for dress, which includes mostly menswear, suits in particular, is the 30s and 40s.

Amy Jeanne

06-20-2012, 07:17 AM

1937-1941.

Best era for dresses!! The skirt became A-line, the waist cinched in, and the sleeves and bodices became poofy greatness. Example:

http://images.wikia.com/vintagepatterns/images/f/f5/DB2439B.jpg

This era is incredibly flattering for my figure type and I tend to love the "over-the-top" feminine frills. They were a bit toned down from earlier in the decade, but still "a bit much" compared to today lol

My inspiration is the same as LizzieMaine -- home movies, personal photographs, etc. I draw more inspiration from those people than movie stars.

Gin&Tonics

06-20-2012, 08:09 AM

You, sir, could bring it back, of this I'm sure!
What are your recommended reads for this era?

You are too kind; thank you for your kind words.

Well, the Victorians, as well as being the Lords of Style, were also geniuses of literature. Some of my absolute favourite pieces of literature were spawned from the Victorian era. Of course the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle top my list, but other brilliant authors and works include:

Edgar Allan Poe - anything and everything he wrote; the man was a complete genius and is widely regarded as the father of the short story and the detective story

Charles Dickens - one of the most celebrated authors of the Victorian era; his writing has a special charm and gives a brilliant look at the daily lives of ordinary people in the Victorian era

Although I'm not personally familiar with their work, the Bronte sisters were giants of Victorian literature, and I understand Wuthering Heights by Emily is a particularly excellent example that was in many ways ahead of its time.

As far as poetry, Alfred Lord Tennyson is one of my favourite poets and held the Poet Laureateship for some considerable time during this era. He wrote Idylls of the King, which is an epic romantic poem about another of my favourite literary subjects, King Arthur. Of course he also penned Charge of the Light Brigade, which is an excellent poem as well.

Of course one cannot fail to mention Oscar Wilde in any discussion of Victorian literature. Consider, "The Picture of Dorian Gray" is his only novel, but he was well known as a playwright.

The list goes on and on!

Angus Forbes

06-20-2012, 08:10 AM

I especially like the period from the end of WWII til about 1963. The 1930's had wonderful style, for those who could afford it, but things were really pretty tough for many people. But the mid-40's through the early 60's were great for a lot of better-off White Americans -- Eisenhower in the White House, Brooks Brothers at its prime, job security, good manners, Bourbon and steak and crabcakes (OK, I am from Maryland), good wool and cashmere, smooth trombones and Patti Page, ladies in dresses and men in suits with fedoras at the Club . . .

Gin&Tonics

06-20-2012, 08:11 AM

Absolutely!

My own preference is for 1890 to 1940 but with a very strong preference to rural 1890 to 1920 - think The Shooting Party or Upstairs Downstairs (the original, not the ghastly lesbian-be-decked new series!). Things went a bit too jazzy later in the period (although everyday folks' dress remained pretty much the same throughout).

Give me a brown tweed three-piece, a pocket watch on an albert, a springer spaniel, and a shotgun (and a slightly anachronistic fedora :D) and I'll be happy wanding the mist-strewn wooded valleys seeking a brace for the pot. :D

Don't forget your trusty pipe and an ounce or two of shag to keep you company on the journey! :D I'd be right there in a heartbeat, similiarly attired, with perhaps a flat cap instead of a fedora.

Miss Sis

06-20-2012, 11:27 AM

The 1930s. Most favourite year of the 30s - 1935.

Long straight lines for women, but still with bodice detail and waists! There is so much scope for everything from swimsuits and beachwear through to evening wear and I love it all!

I too look to the photographs, sewing and knitting patterns of the era. I'm not really too interested in the look of the film stars, but I do like seeing middle and upper class clothing in photo archives like Getty.

Don't forget your trusty pipe and an ounce or two of shag to keep you company on the journey! :D I'd be right there in a heartbeat, similiarly attired, with perhaps a flat cap instead of a fedora.

Absolutely old chap! :D

Ben Stephens

06-20-2012, 12:37 PM

Quarter past two, June the 15th 1934. Never was a day more stylish ;-)

Chasseur

06-20-2012, 01:39 PM

Two periods the 1930s and then 1950 to about 1958 or so. I like the tweedy sporty look of men's wear in the early to mid 1930s belted action back sport coats, plus fours, flat caps etc. I also like the clean lines of the Mr. T and Continental sytles of the 1950s.

Miss Stella

06-20-2012, 02:19 PM

Thank you, Gin&Tonics :)
I was blessed last month in finding a late 1890's copy of Lord Tennysons complete poems! The cover is literally hanging on by threads and I do fear it shall fall apart but I have determined to read at least on page a day until I have finished. I begin with, "Claribel (a melody)".
I feel as if I should be wearing white gloves in order to hold it!

It was a great buy...FREE!!!!

Two Types

06-20-2012, 02:47 PM

UK - post war, pre-rock and roll: Due to clothing rationing and the general post-war war shortages, men wore a mixure of whatever was available. Old 1930s jackets with mis-matched trousers (since suit trousers were worn out). Nicely relaxed when necessary, but with the ability to be smart when necessary. Hats starting to go out of fashion, shoes still great, Tootal ties and scarves ever-dominant. But with elements of American fashions thrown in.

Gin&Tonics

06-20-2012, 03:11 PM

Thank you, Gin&Tonics :)
I was blessed last month in finding a late 1890's copy of Lord Tennysons complete poems! The cover is literally hanging on by threads and I do fear it shall fall apart but I have determined to read at least on page a day until I have finished. I begin with, "Claribel (a melody)".
I feel as if I should be wearing white gloves in order to hold it!

It was a great buy...FREE!!!!

Wow, you really found yourself a genuine treasure there! Honestly, white gloves might not be a bad idea; the oils from your hands will speed up the decay of the paper to a certain extent. You know, there are people who can restore old book bindings; you might sniff around a bit and see if it could be done at a reasonable price. Congrats on the find and I hope you enjoy it! You'll have to keep us posted on what you think of it.

draws

06-20-2012, 07:20 PM

I prefer the early 1900s through late 1930s. I especially like the 1920 men's clothing styles.

John in Covina

06-21-2012, 08:45 PM

For me i like some of the 30's and especially when the drape comes into fashion. I also like some 40's along with the DB suits in the old George Reeves Superman TV shows.

rue

06-21-2012, 09:10 PM

For me it's 1850s-1915 and then it skips to 1935-1960. I don't like anything that doesn't have a waist.

AtomicEraTom

06-21-2012, 09:20 PM

I'd fit in right about here, too. My favorites are probably early postwar to about 1952-3, before brims and lapels started to narrow down.

1940-1960

green papaya

07-06-2012, 01:58 PM

I like the 1950's styles

Taz-man

07-06-2012, 03:28 PM

I like the 1930s, 1940s, and the early 1950s

Akubra Man

07-07-2012, 08:54 AM

For me the 50's style does it a la Kevin Spacey's character Jack Vincennes's costumes in L.A. Confidential

Rathdown

07-07-2012, 12:37 PM

Mostly early Thirties, with a conservative English cut. In my opinion men and women looked their best in the early Thirties, as did cars, aeroplanes, and just about everything else.

The Good

07-07-2012, 01:25 PM

I'm pretty sure that the mid '50s to the mid '60s is my favorite time of clothing styles (mainly for the suits, and some of the casual styles). I like slightly narrow lapels and pants for suits, and I am having a 3 inch width tie made (I don't think it's that narrow though). I used to think I really liked the suits of the '30s and '40s, but the ties and trousers are too wide for my tastes right now. I particularly like the leather jackets and uniform styles of that time though.

Mark B.

07-07-2012, 03:35 PM

Really like the late 30's thur 40's fashion styles for men. Partial to 40's and 50's fashion styles on women. They just seemed so elegant thru those eras. Hard to beat IMHO.

plain old dave

07-07-2012, 07:46 PM

Mid 1950s... People at work keep calling me "the Arizona Sheriff". Though next week I am going to wear khaki with sidezip boots and one of the pant legs half tucked in....

Shangas

07-07-2012, 09:02 PM

I'm a sort of 20s-40s kinda guy. I like the simplicity of it. It's simple, elegant, classic, without looking like it's trying too hard.

therizyflapper

07-07-2012, 09:40 PM

I love the 1920's to the early 1930's, but mostly the 20's :) i adore the style from those eras, as well as the music and movies :)

RichardH

07-08-2012, 12:28 AM

30s to late 40s early 50s for both men an women. I do think that the pants on the suits made in the 40s can be a bit too wide, but aside from that, that's my favorite era.

MissNathalieVintage

07-08-2012, 07:14 PM

1930's-1940's I noticed there are more 1940's girls in the UK then there are in the states. Which makes me wish there was more 1940's here. In the states its mostly 1950's.

ThemThereEyes

07-08-2012, 09:20 PM

I prefer a little from each the 1940s and 1950s.

CaramelSmoothie

07-08-2012, 09:47 PM

Mid 1920s to early 1930s. It was a classy period.

Baron Kurtz

07-09-2012, 12:07 AM

1935

William Stratford

07-09-2012, 12:55 AM

1935

Any particular month? ;)

Baron Kurtz

07-09-2012, 01:08 AM

Oh sorry, I should have been more specific. Spring season, 1935.

bk

Two Types

07-09-2012, 11:38 AM

Oh sorry, I should have been more specific. Spring season, 1935.

bk

The question must be: why that season, of that year?

St. Louis

07-28-2012, 10:22 AM

My single favorite year for women's fashion is 1939; that's the year the waists were natural, the skirts full without being poofy, and the sleeves nicely puffy at the top without becoming too mannish. Incidentally, that's also the greatest year for Golden Era movies. When I make my own clothes from vintage patterns, though, I'll make anything from about 1935 to mid-1940s.

All that said, during the summer I like to wear 1960s sheer cotton dresses. Oddly enough I don't consider them vintage, though; I guess they seem too "modern" in comparison to my usual style.

Miss Sis

07-28-2012, 01:03 PM

1935

Baron, you have *excellent* taste! ;)

Nick D

07-28-2012, 01:31 PM

1930s is my favourite, particularly mid-30s. I have things that are 20s-60s, but I usually go for a 30s look.

herringbonekid

07-28-2012, 01:43 PM

England, 1925.

splintercellsz

07-28-2012, 02:06 PM

1920s-1930s. If it looks good to me, I wear it :D

suits lover

09-15-2012, 09:16 AM

For me it more pre 1940's to the mid 1950's

resortes805

09-16-2012, 08:19 AM

Hmmmm; I'd say, '35 to '54.

FedoraFan112390

10-06-2012, 11:54 AM

Late 50s-early 60s, think middle class wear: Slacks, shined shoes, button down shirts, polo shirts, watch, Ricky jackets and the like, plaid in the winter. Also have a fondness for the early-mid 70s in terms of the wider collars on shirts.

GoldenEraFan

11-24-2012, 10:13 AM

Depends on what I'm doing. If I'm running errands in my neighborhood, I dress casual '50s. Going to work, I switch off between 1920's-early 1950's depending on my mood.

CSG

11-24-2012, 10:36 AM

I like the look of the 30's and 40's but don't dress that way. Where I live and what I do doesn't require suits or more formal attire. I do have a sort of uniform though in that I pretty much only wear khaki and olive drab dual patch pocket shirts, some more uniform like than others (epaulets). Slacks are khakis and olive drab or jeans. Shoes are almost always Sperry Top Siders until the weather turns. Except for the boat shoes (which have been around since the mid-30's), I have photos of my dad, uncle, and their dad in Northern Michigan in the late 30's and all were dressed similar to how I dress. All I need is a Woolrich buffalo check shirt and Filson coat and I'd be all set. I do need to get a proper fedora from that era to complete the late 30's/early 40's Field and Stream look. ;)

Cobden

11-24-2012, 02:24 PM

1930s and 40s for me, generally informal (suits) or casual (jacket and flannels), though never too "perfectly" dressed

Henry Gondorff

09-29-2013, 07:43 AM

1920s for me, especially suits. I think men have never been more elegant. I myself dress like this when going to work - and my colleagues find it perfectly normal. Conclusive proof that elegance is timeless...

fashion frank

09-29-2013, 08:53 AM

1930s is my favourite, particularly mid-30s. I have things that are 20s-60s, but I usually go for a 30s look.

+1 on that !
All the Best ,Fashion Frank

gear-guy

11-17-2013, 08:28 PM

Great gatsby period. 20's and 30's. Love when people dressed up, at least the one's who could afford it.

dh66

11-17-2013, 09:14 PM

Mostly 50s - early 60s. I do really like the swing era and dig zoot suits a lot, I just don't have anything like that to wear. Maybe one day, hopefully.

Sent from my SGH-T959V using Tapatalk 2

John J

11-22-2013, 12:01 PM

Id have to say , though I don't do suits often (jacket almost always)

For mens fashion late 30s - early 40s.

For the gals I realy like the late 40s - mid 50s.

"John"

HeyMoe

11-22-2013, 12:38 PM

30s to 40s with late 30s and early 40s being my favorite - all though I am not sure I pull it off as well as I would like.

Edward

11-22-2013, 01:38 PM

UK - post war, pre-rock and roll: Due to clothing rationing and the general post-war war shortages, men wore a mixure of whatever was available. Old 1930s jackets with mis-matched trousers (since suit trousers were worn out). Nicely relaxed when necessary, but with the ability to be smart when necessary. Hats starting to go out of fashion, shoes still great, Tootal ties and scarves ever-dominant. But with elements of American fashions thrown in.

That's actually not far off how I habitually dress most of the time, based around available vintage, repro, and modern pieces I like. I've recently come to realise that I dress less often like it's the late forties, and more like a guy from 1950-56 who hasn't quite realised it's not still the Forties... ;) Given my druthers and money no object, I love most styles for men from about 1930 (or around when trousers got wide as the norm) to around 1954ish (or at least when waists started to drop a bit and legs got a bit too naroww - though that said, I'm a sucker for the Ted look as well). I like British suits from the early-mid thirties, American tailoring from the late Forties (can't go past that Bogart look! Big Sleep, Maltese Falcon stylee). Same thing for really casual wear... For formal wear - black or white tie, formal daywear - it has to be the pre-war thirties.

I've been tempted by a zoot, but I'm not sure I'd ever actually do it. I don't know where I'd actually wear one, really, and over here they have a very strong association with the lindy hop scene (I'm a tribal jiver, with many bad experiences of lindies. Nuff said.).

Metatron

11-22-2013, 07:49 PM

early to mid 1930s is where fashion and tailoring peaks for me, I like fitted jackets with still normal sized shoulders paired with baggy pleated trousers.
Like Edward and two types, I also like the late 1940s and early 1950s dishevelled postwar look.
But I generally enjoy casual clothes between the 1930s and 1950s without being to picky.
I also think the current vintage resurgence is quite fortunate, there is plenty of nice clothing out there, except for high waisted trousers.

The things I don't like from this timeframe are:
Double breasted suit jackets with 'solar panel' lapels. ;)
Massive shoulders
Formalwear. Probably an unpopular opinion here, but it's just too delicate a look for me, and I hate the lack of options.

cchgn

12-03-2013, 12:20 PM

Definitely 50's and 60's, with the slimmer lapels and sleeker blends. If I wanted a suit to look like a Tux, I'd get a Tux.

I prefer the '50s and '60s styles with a casual looking 2-button jacket, single breasted, single vent jacket. The only difference I have in slacks is pleated slacks and cuffs because over the years I've decided to stick with this despite what any store is selling. My recollection of the '50s and '60s is that pants were typically non-pleated, and without cuffs. I dunno if its just me and my physique or the way clothes are made but I do like the suits and jackets the guys above would wear. My problem is, being a size 40/42 Long the jackets hang down waaay far below my butt and look baggy. I do have one tailor made suit that looks pretty much the same way. The suits from the '50s and '60s seemed to me to have a tighter, sleeker look.

cchgn

12-07-2013, 09:22 PM

I read an article back in the early 80's in GQ that covered the fashions in the last 100 years and it said that fashions reflect current events. When the economy is good, lapels and ties get wider. When things get tight, so do the lapels and ties. They said that with the speed of innovations and technology in the 50's, the pace of life stepped up and fashion got more simple and compact. They likened it to folks being in such a hurry, ties flying and getting caught in revolving doors, except that fashion got smaller and tighter to prevent that. Think of Cary Grant in Hitchock's North by NorthWest. New fabrics allowed for sleeker looks and inspired new designers, etc.

Megan Steigerwalt-Guise

12-08-2013, 11:57 AM

Hi everyone. This is my first post :). I prefer 50s 60s and 70s fashions but I love anything from the beginning of the 20th century up to the 70s.

Megan Steigerwalt-Guise

12-08-2013, 11:57 AM

I read an article back in the early 80's in GQ that covered the fashions in the last 100 years and it said that fashions reflect current events. When the economy is good, lapels and ties get wider. When things get tight, so do the lapels and ties. They said that with the speed of innovations and technology in the 50's, the pace of life stepped up and fashion got more simple and compact. They likened it to folks being in such a hurry, ties flying and getting caught in revolving doors, except that fashion got smaller and tighter to prevent that. Think of Cary Grant in Hitchock's North by NorthWest. New fabrics allowed for sleeker looks and inspired new designers, etc.

I read the same about women's fashions. The hems get shorter as the economy gets better.

Two Types

12-09-2013, 04:34 AM

IWhen the economy is good, lapels and ties get wider. When things get tight, so do the lapels and ties.

Not sure how true that is: in the late 1940s the British economy was exhausted yet lapels and ties were wide. As the economy improved through the 1950s and 1960s ties, trousers and lapels got narrower. In the mid seventies, when the economy was in a mess again, everything got super-wide again.

Edward

12-10-2013, 10:16 AM

early to mid 1930s is where fashion and tailoring peaks for me, I like fitted jackets with still normal sized shoulders paired with baggy pleated trousers.
Like Edward and two types, I also like the late 1940s and early 1950s dishevelled postwar look.
But I generally enjoy casual clothes between the 1930s and 1950s without being to picky.
I also think the current vintage resurgence is quite fortunate, there is plenty of nice clothing out there, except for high waisted trousers.

The things I don't like from this timeframe are:
Double breasted suit jackets with 'solar panel' lapels. ;)
Massive shoulders
Formalwear. Probably an unpopular opinion here, but it's just too delicate a look for me, and I hate the lack of options.

I think what I love most about formalwear is wearing the same thing as everyuone else3.... but wearing it better.

Definitely 50's and 60's, with the slimmer lapels and sleeker blends. If I wanted a suit to look like a Tux, I'd get a Tux.

It certainly did... I'm not a fan of the Sixties look on myself, but Mad Men made me reevaqluate it and I can certainly appreciate how sharp and clean it looks on others.

Benny Holiday

12-11-2013, 02:41 PM

I think what I love most about formalwear is wearing the same thing as everyuone else3.... but wearing it better.

:eusa_clap Well said!

fgradowski

12-12-2013, 05:07 PM

I'm a 50's gal. I love, love, love New Look style dresses! I got my glasses after falling in love with Marilyn's in How to Marry a Millionaire. Oddly, my favorite film star is Rita Hayworth and my favorite film of her's is Cover Girl, which was in the late 40's. I seriously wish I could look just a little bit as good as Rita.